SOC 19-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Scientists — Illinois
Illinois
Median pay in Illinois is $47,930 a year, 30.5% under the national median of $68,940 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Illinois is $47,930 a year, 30.5% under the national median of $68,940 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $44,350 and $47,960. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,630 and the ninetieth at $66,510.
Among the 13 states with published data for this occupation, Illinois ranks 13th by median wage. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 548th of 747 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,630 | −42.5% |
| 25th | $44,350 | −35.7% |
| Median (50th) | $47,930 | −30.5% |
| 75th | $47,960 | −30.4% |
| 90th | $66,510 | −3.5% |
| Mean | $50,640 | −26.5% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Illinois sit close to the national average, so $47,930 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$47,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$47,930US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,930 a year, 30.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,630 to $66,510 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 13th of 13 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Scientists in Illinois?
The median annual wage is $47,930, or $23.05 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $68,940, so pay in Illinois is 30.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Illinois earns more than $66,510 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,630 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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